Patrick's NHL DFS Picks for Thursday, March 23

With eleven games on the slate for tonight, the NHL saw fit to give us some heavyweight matchups with Columbus heading into Washington to face the Capitals in this Metro Division battle, while a struggling Lightning team is up in Boston to fight for their dwindling playoff lives after dropping three in a row, the same as Boston. The second place Penguins are in Ottawa, and red hot Calgary is headed to Nashville for a game with big playoff implications, as these teams each currently hold a wildcard spot. But with every Los Angeles loss, those two wildcard spots become more secure. But let’s get to the DFS picks now.

Nicklas Backstrom ($6800, Washington Capitals): No matter the opponent, I will continue to roll Backstrom out there in DFS lineups. With 11 assists in Washington's last five games, it’s almost written in stone that this silent assassin will score three points. While linemate Alex Ovechkin gets all the attention with his booming shot and T.J. Oshie has put up his first ever 30-goal season, Nicklas just keeps handing out those dimes that count. Even against a tough customer in Columbus, Backstrom is still the straw stirring the drink in D.C.

Leon Draisaitl ($6200, Edmonton Oilers): Yes, I am using Leon again, and will use him until the well runs dry. While Backstrom has been doling out helpers like Magic Johnson recently, Draisaitl also has been dropping dimes of late with eight in his last four games, along with one goal. Edmonton is at a slight disadvantage, as they’re playing a second game in a row after heading to Anaheim Wednesday night. But Edmonton is at an advantage being that they are playing the worst team in the NHL tonight in Denver, as the lethargic Avalanche cannot stop anyone from scoring a goal. Colorado is also 24th on the penalty kill, which is bad enough when you include their 9.5 minutes spent in the box each game.